Source: http://www.uwiseismic.com/News/advisories.html

This view shows what appear to be distinct plumes of material beneath the water's surface. photo: Richard Robertson, SRU.

St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, July 26, 2007 (SRU)- The Seismic Research Unit have confirmed reports of a disturbance at sea, about five miles east of Radix Point on the east coast of Trinidad. This is probably caused by an underwater mud volcano, similar to that at Chatham Island and several on-shore mud volcanoes in Trinidad.

Staff of Repsol YPF, who regularly fly over the area, reported a "bubbling of the sea" and extensive brown discoloration of the sea water since about July 11. The location was given as 10 degrees 22.498 minutes N, 60 degrees 55.322 minutes W.

Dr Richard Robertson, Director of the SRU, viewed the site from a helicopter on 24 July. The sea was calm. The disturbance consisted of a region of breaking waves, about seven to ten metres in diameter. This was partially surrounded by a region of light-brown discoloured seawater. The waves were breaking east to west over an underwater feature. The feature could not be seen but could have only been, at most, a few feet below the surface. There was also a circular pattern of small waves, centred on the disturbance. There was no evidence of any bubbling or gas emissions that might drive such waves, and the circular pattern was probably generated by waves that are reflected and refracted by the source region.

The discoloration was being carried to the north-northeast by the prevailing currents, disappearing completely at a range of about 100 metres (350 feet).

Close examination revealed a number of discrete brown plumes of material which appeared to be coming from shallow vents. These could be seen on the south and west margins of the disturbed area, although other sources might have been be obscured by the muddy water.

Close up of "plumes". photo: Richard Robertson, SRU.

SRU also received reports from people who were diving in the area about two months ago. They observed brown material coming from what appeared to be a single vent on the sea floor, about 15 metres (50 feet) below the surface.

Bathymetric charts, last updated in 1931, show water depths of about 15 metres (50 feet) in this area.

All the observations suggest the source is an underwater mud volcano. The extrusion of mud over a period of about two months appears to have built up a 15 metre (50 feet) high mount which is now just below the water surface. This is very similar to the activity at Chatham Island, which produced short-lived islands in 1964 and 2001.

It is not possible to say how long the activity will continue and whether it will result in the creation of an island like Chatham Island. The edifice is subject to much greater erosion nearer the sea surface, so may never break the surface.

The hazards generated by this activity are very localised. There is a real danger to any boats that approach the disturbed area and sailors are encouraged to adopt a cautious approach and stay more than one mile from the disturbance.

More information about mud volcanoes in Trinidad and Tobago can be found at the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago’s website (http://www.gstt.org/teaching/mud%20volcanoes.htm).